Find a Recovery Meeting

What Are Recovery Meetings?

Recovery meetings are free, confidential gatherings where people support each other in overcoming addiction. The two most widely available programs are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Both follow a 12-step framework and have helped millions of people worldwide.

AA meetings are for anyone who wants to stop drinking alcohol. NA meetings are for anyone recovering from drug addiction of any kind. You do not need a referral, diagnosis, or appointment. There is no sign-up, no membership fee, and no obligation to speak. You can simply show up, sit down, and listen.

Meetings typically last about an hour. Some are held in community halls, churches, or hospitals. Others run online via Zoom and are accessible from anywhere in the world. Whether you are taking your first step or have been in recovery for years, meetings provide a consistent, judgement-free space to connect with others who understand.

Online vs In-Person Meetings

Online meetings run on Zoom and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can join from anywhere — camera off, first name only, completely anonymous. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, online meetings have become a permanent part of recovery. Many people attend a mix of both online and in-person meetings.

In-person meetings are held in community halls, churches, hospitals, and other venues. They offer face-to-face connection and are often the foundation of someone's recovery community. Browse by country above to find in-person meetings near you.

Meeting Formats

When browsing meetings, you will see labels that describe the format. Here is what they mean:

• Open meetings welcome anyone — including family, friends, and people who are curious about recovery. You do not need to identify as an alcoholic or addict to attend.
• Closed meetings are reserved for people who have a desire to stop drinking or using drugs. They offer a more private environment for sharing.
• Discussion meetings involve open conversation about a recovery topic. Anyone can share.
• Speaker meetings feature one person telling their story of addiction and recovery. Others listen.
• Step Study meetings work through the 12 Steps of the program, usually one step per session.
• Big Book / Literature meetings involve reading and discussing passages from AA or NA literature.
• Topic meetings focus on a specific theme chosen by the chairperson or the group.
• Candlelight meetings are held in a quieter, more reflective atmosphere.

Your First Meeting

If you've never been to a meeting, the hardest part is showing up. Here's what you need to know: you don't have to speak, you don't have to identify yourself, and you can leave at any time. Most people are nervous at their first meeting — and most wish they'd gone sooner.

If in-person feels like too much, start with an online meeting. You can sit at home with your camera off and just listen. It's the lowest-barrier way to find out whether meetings might help.

If you're dealing with a drinking problem, our guide to quitting alcohol covers what to expect. If you're in crisis, crisis support is available 24/7.